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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Washington Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 47 public high schools serving 24,864 students in Washington, DC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Washington, DC are School Without Walls High School, Basis Dc Pcs and Benjamin Banneker High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Washington, DC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the District Of Columbia public high school average of 15%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 35% statewide average). High schools in Washington have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of District Of Columbia public high schools.
Washington, DC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 76%, which is equal to the District Of Columbia average of 76%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Benjamin Banneker High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in District Of Columbia or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the District Of Columbia public high school average of 91% (majority Black).

Best Public High Schools in Washington, DC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
School Without Walls High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2130 G St. Nw
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 645-9690
Gr: 9-12 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #22.
Basis Dc Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
410 8th Street Nw
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 804-6390
Gr: 5-12 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #33.
Benjamin Banneker High School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1600 9th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 671-6320
Gr: 9-12 | 703 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #44.
Washington Latin Pcs - Upper School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5200 2nd Street Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 223-1111
Gr: 9-12 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #55.
District Of Columbia International School
Charter School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1400 Main Drive Nw
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 808-9033
Gr: 6-12 | 1,654 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #66.
Mckinley Technology High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
151 T St. Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 281-3950
Gr: 9-12 | 723 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #77.
Jackson-reed High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3950 Chesapeake St. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-0120
Gr: 9-12 | 1,855 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #88.
The Sojourner Truth School Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1800 Perry Street Ne
Washington, DC 20018
(202) 747-0904
Gr: 6-12 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #99.
Goodwill Excel Center Pcs
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1776 G Street Nw
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 839-3650
Gr: 9-12 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #1010.
Duke Ellington School Of The Arts
(Math: 13% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3500 R St. Nw
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 282-0123
Gr: 9-12 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1111.
E.l. Haynes Pcs - High School
Charter School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4501 Kansas Avenue Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 667-4446
Gr: 9-12 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Ballou Stay High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3401 4th St. Se
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 645-3390
Gr: 9-12 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Luke C. Moore High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1001 Monroe St. Ne
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 281-3600
Gr: 9-12 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
River Terrace Education Campus
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
405 Anacostia Ave. Ne
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 442-7111
Gr: 3-12 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1515.
Columbia Heights Education Campus
(Math: 10% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3101 16th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 939-7700
Gr: 6-12 | 1,563 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Bard High School Early College Dc (Bard Dc)
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1351 Alabama Ave Se
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 898-4664
Gr: 9-12 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Girls Global Academy Pcs
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
733 8th Street Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 600-4822
Gr: 9-12 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Phelps Architecture Construction And Engineering High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
704 26th St. Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 729-4360
Gr: 9-12 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Garnet-patterson Stay High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2001 10th St Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 576-8399
Gr: 9-12 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Maya Angelou Academy At Youth Services Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 Mount Olivet Road Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 202-7007
Gr: 6-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Capital City Pcs - High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
100 Peabody Street Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 808-9800
Gr: 9-12 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Richard Wright Pcs For Journalism And Media Arts
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
475 School Street Sw
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 388-1011
Gr: 8-12 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Washington Leadership Academy Pcs
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3015 4th Street Ne
Washington, DC 20017
(240) 580-3371
Gr: 9-12 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2424.
Friendship Pcs - Technology Preparatory High School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2705 Martin Luther King Jr Ave
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 562-1681
Gr: 9-12 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools For Public Policy
Charter School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3701 Hayes Street Ne
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 398-2230
Gr: 6-12 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Friendship Pcs - Collegiate Academy
Charter School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4095 Minnesota Avenue Ne
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 396-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 745 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #2727.
Kipp Dc - College Preparatory Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1405 Brentwood Parkway Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 678-2527
Gr: 9-12 | 643 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Digital Pioneers Academy Pcs - Capitol Hill
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
709 12th Street Se
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 677-3522
Gr: 9-12 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Thurgood Marshall Academy Pcs
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2427 Martin Luther King Jr Ave
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 563-6862
Gr: 9-12 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Coolidge High School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
6315 5th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 671-6080
Gr: 9-12 | 1,029 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Paul Pcs - International High School
Charter School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5800 8th Street Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 291-7499
Gr: 9-12 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #3232.
Kingsman Academy Pcs
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1375 E Street Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 547-1028
Gr: 6-12 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Dunbar High School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
101 N St. Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 698-3762
Gr: 9-12 | 892 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
H.d. Woodson High School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
540 55th St. Ne
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 939-2030
Gr: 9-12 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3535.
Kipp Dc Pcs - Legacy College Preparatory Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3999 8th Street Se
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 562-9170
Gr: 9-12 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Show 12 more public schools in Washington, DC (out of 47 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Washington, DC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Washington, DC include School Without Walls High School, Basis Dc Pcs and Benjamin Banneker High School.
How many public high schools are located in Washington?
47 public high schools are located in Washington.
What is the racial composition of students in Washington?
Washington public high schools minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the District Of Columbia public high schools average of 91% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Washington are often viewed compared to one another?

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